Home networking may be tedious but it’s the only way to ensure your smart home tech will work flawlessly.
When we talk about smart homes, there’s one thing that anchors the entire system together. Without this one crucial element, your smart home just won’t perform the way you want it to. The key to a functional and user-friendly smart home? Quality home networking. Your network determines whether or not your system will function reliably, when you need it and how you need it. For some people, it may seem like something you can easily skimp on and not worry about. The reality is that any quality solid home automation system relies on a good bit of home networking to keep it functional. Here are five home networking mistakes to avoid.
1. Not Checking for Firmware Updates
Your router or modem must be checked regularly for firmware updates. Most modems do this automatically but routers are often still manual, so just head over to the manufacturer’s website, download the latest firmware, and then update. This will give you important functions, updates, and new settings that can improve performance.
2. Leaving Everything on Default
When you get your router out of the box, it may go through a few steps to set up some default settings to get you up and running. While it may seem easy to leave it at that, you really want to go into the router’s settings and poke around a bit to see if there’s anything you may want to change, including default passwords.
3. Plugging the Ethernet Cable in Wrong
Your ethernet cable that goes from the modem to the router must be plugged into the WAN/Internet port on the router, not the LAN port. This isn’t the case, however, if you have multiple routers, in which instance you will plug the outbound ethernet cable into the LAN port.
4. Poor Router Placement
This one’s simple but it tricks a lot of people up still. The ideal location for a router is in the middle of your home, or wherever you need service, and out in the open. The more furniture you clutter it with or the more remote of a location you place it, the worse connection you’ll get.
5. Buying Equipment Without Knowing Your Needs
Check with a professional if you’re unsure of what you need. There’s no reason to waste valuable time and money by purchasing all the wrong equipment, only to realize that you’ve gone overboard or, perhaps worse, gotten junky equipment that won’t get the job done.
Integrated Technologies Group Can Help Integrate Your Home Network
Ready to have a smart home as smart as you are? Integrated Technologies Group has the expertise and great prices to make it happen. We have been providing Maryland residents with top-notch home theater services, home security services, and home automation services for over a decade. We work throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, and West Virginia. Ready to get a quote to make your smart home dreams a reality? Give us a call at 1-877-560-3280 or visit us online. For more informative articles, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+.
Tags: home automation, home networking, networking
